recollect

1 of 2

verb (1)

rec·​ol·​lect ˌre-kə-ˈlekt How to pronounce recollect (audio)
recollected; recollecting; recollects

transitive verb

1
: to bring back to the level of conscious awareness : remember
trying to recollect the name
2
: to remind (oneself) of something temporarily forgotten

intransitive verb

: to call something to mind

re-collect

2 of 2

verb (2)

re-col·​lect ˌrē-kə-ˈlekt How to pronounce re-collect (audio)
re-collected; re-collecting; re-collects

transitive verb

: to collect again
especially : rally, recover
Choose the Right Synonym for recollect

remember, recollect, recall, remind, reminisce mean to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind.

remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

Examples of recollect in a Sentence

Verb (1) I've been trying to recollect what happened. I don't recollect telling him anything, but maybe I did. She couldn't recollect who had mentioned his name in the first place. From what I recollect, they said four of them were coming.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Positive memories are inherently rewarding to recollect. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 But given that the actor is able to recollect the instance, the situation seems to have been quelled. Brittany Vincent, EW.com, 27 July 2023 The distinction is crucial for CPA candidates, as the exam tests the ability to apply concepts in practical scenarios, not just recollecting information. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 This is a part of history to be recollected through film. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2024 But there were times when DeJesus was able to recollect events from the night. Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 2 Dec. 2023 Kidney, now an accomplished designer and artist whose creative studio collaborates often with the Walt Disney Co., recollects on why the treehouse — an attraction that can be overlooked among today’s more modern thrills — is unique. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023 Fairfax County school officials said no one in the school’s current administration recollects an Italian ambassador ever visiting it. John Kelly, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2023 The Beast Photo: Carole Bethuel Léa Seydoux and British actor George MacKay lead up this time-bending, almost Nolan-esque love story about a woman, in the year 2044, who struggles to feel or recollect emotion. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recollect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Medieval Latin recollectus, past participle of recolligere, from Latin, to gather again

Verb (2)

partly from Latin recollectus, past participle of recolligere, from re- + colligere to collect; partly from re- + collect

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1559, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recollect was in 1559

Dictionary Entries Near recollect

recoin

recollect

re-collect

Cite this Entry

“Recollect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recollect. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

recollect

1 of 2 verb
rec·​ol·​lect ˌrek-ə-ˈlekt How to pronounce recollect (audio)
1
: to recall to mind : remember
2
: to remind oneself of something temporarily forgotten

re-collect

2 of 2 verb
re-col·​lect
ˌrē-kə-ˈlekt
: to collect again

More from Merriam-Webster on recollect

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